He coaches the attack that just kicked its lowest score of the season and lost one of the AFL's top full-forwards to suspension.
Now his charges take on the league's most miserly defence.
Geelong assistant James Rahilly is having a big week, but it's far from calamitous ahead of the massive Saturday home match against Richmond.
For all their problems in the wake of last Friday night's loss to Sydney, the Cats still pack ample firepower.
They are the league's second highest-scoring team this season and while Tom Hawkins is a major loss with his two-game ban, Patrick Dangerfield and Daniel Menzel are welcome returns.
Hawkins is fifth in the goalkicking with 46, while Dangerfield (35) and Menzel (34) are also in the top 20.
And having to re-shape their forward line is nothing new for the Cats.
"It's been a busy year - continuity hasn't been kind to us with a lot of the players," Rahilly told AAP.
"We've been OK, it's probably just the inconsistency - we've had some really good games where our efficiency has been quite good.
"Then there are others where it's been lacking."
Heading those "others" is last week's home loss to Sydney, where the Cats kicked a wasteful 8.13
Corey Gregson has not played this season, Lincoln McCarthy has needed surgery and Nakia Cockatoo has played only 10 games.
Geelong have recalled ruck-forward Rhys Stanley and swingman Harry Taylor is another tall option in attack.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has said that without Hawkins, Geelong's attack will be less predictable.
It is something Geelong are planning to exploit.
"When guys look up and they don't see him (Hawkins), we'll have multiple options and we think they're viable options, whether it is Menz or Rhys or Harry's there," Rahilly said.
"The boys know their roles, but we have stepped them through what it looks like and probably communicate to the other guys up the field ... how we want to enter the ball (inside 50).
"We have a new look and it's something different, but we still need to have that predictability to each other."
While Richmond will start favourites, they have a 12-game losing streak against the Cats.
The Tigers are third and Geelong are fourth, a game and a half ahead of fifth-place Port Adelaide.
The stakes are huge, with the winner all but guaranteed of a top-four finish and the finals double chance.
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